Originally Posted by
Albief15
SWA and Delta choose to wait for more money. 57% of our pilot group decided taking the gains now might be more valuable than protracted negotiations. I don't think the yes voters--which include me--where jumping up and down about the TA. It was simply a matter of would the next one offset the delay and would be preserve some (yet to be fully integrated and appreciated) work rule changes. While nobody can predict EXACTLY the right choice, the results of the next TA will be an interesting comparison to what FDX pilots approved. I would rather be rich than right, so if those guys secure huge gains good on them--they raised the bar for all of us. In 5.8 years we'll have a new target and a different strategy. If they get what I think they will...the same deal +/- 10 percent 2 years from now...then its a wash but with a lot more turmoil and disruption to work and family life. If they fail to secure 10% more...then they might have even lost ground.
What I see in IPA is a chance to improve your own lot...eliminate NURPs, stop flying on your own jets, and get some work rule improvements to match what we have. We already lifted the bar....and along the way have put millions of dollars into the hands of other ALPA and union pilots at American, United, and FedEx by NOT riding on our own jets to work. We fought to keep our training department filled with our pilots, improving our training fidelity and also creating more positions within the company for future ALPA pilots instead of professional instructors. We have put dues dollars to work for over a decade on initiatives that don't just help us, but our entire industry....with safety initiatives, KCM, open skies and host of others. Our pilot group has a lot to be proud about, and right now has IMHO the best contract in the industry. I'll accept a post-mortem on ways to improve from the guys in the trenches, but pot shots from the other side of Mason Dixon line fall a bit flat when 10% of your flying is out-sourced internally and you are riding around on your own jumpseats to work. I could give two ****s less about 5-10 bucks more an hour if I hate my job, and hate going to work. Right now, as a captain living an FDA, I see a lot of very nice improvements for my family in this new contract. Judging by the number of calls and emails we have been getting from pilots from SWA, Jetblue, Atlas, and even Delta and American who are trying to come to FedEx I am pretty sure we aren't holding anyone down too much.
If IPA is so much more effective, then I challenge you to "force their hand". Show us weak-dicks at FDX what unity looks like, and shame us with your new deal. Reclaim your flying, start flying first class DHs, and get 10% or so above our pay rates. But whatever go get, or don't get...take full responsibility for it and quit passing it off on us. We haven't just been helping cargo pilots, but the entire industry....and maybe I am a bit sensitive but I am rather proud of those contributions.
Honestly Albeif? I wouldn't be too proud. In the litany of FedEx contributions, "we have put dues dollars to work......", not listed was the IPA shouldering the fight for 117. The IPA could have used FedEx/ALPA support in the law suit the IPA is now shouldering alone. Fred/ALPA did not want to be part of that fight. And so it was spoken........and of course came to pass.
I think the main difference...the rub if you will...is that at the IPA, we stand together and take on the 900 pound gorilla as best we can. That would be a litany of bullet statements taking pages to include death threats to union officials in getting the IPA started. That was just the beginning. The FedEx pilot group as a whole, by contrast, continually takes what Fred ordains. And while we were hoping that the FedEx pilot group would come together and finally wake up that times are changing, they didn't. And signed that more or less concessionary contract. Honestly, I do not view the FedEx pilot group as a unified group willing to stand up for themselves.
And the further, "rub", is that all the while, the FedEx pilot group might as well be wearing double breasted blazers. Most will get the inference I refer to; believing the elite has been defined. As reality passes them by.
True story:
In OAK probably 2 years ago. UPS calls for taxi and receives taxi clearance. Approaching the shared throat of the ramp, FedEx calls for taxi. Ground says, "FedEx, follow UPS taxi to runway........."
FedEx response, "FedEx will NEVER follow UPS. Taxi to runway......give way to UPS........." Stated with the combination of superiority, disdain, and as dismissive as can be. Insert the fairy tale evil witch of your choice to capture the tone.
The now completely flummoxed ground controller, "uh...yes...uh.....FedEx cleared to taxi to runway........UPS......give way to FedEx". And FedEx....unbelievably.......goes first to the runway. And UPS follows. I was the captain on the UPS flight involved, and professionally asked for the FedEx callsign. Noted the date, time and location, and contacted our professional standards to deal with it. And yet, somehow, you get the impression that the FedEx crew (probably the captain), smugly smiled at his coup. Totally oblivious of the continued arrogance displayed.
This goes further to the root of the problem. Coattails of overwhelming past benevolence does not insure that today is like the 80's and 90's. This contract was a milestone in the FedEx group actually standing together and saying NO to the whims of Fred. And the bar titched just that little bit unperceptively lower. The chance......has come and gone. And peak is around the corner.
The NURP issue was mentioned a few times. I think, again, the difference is that we at least stand together and fight for what against that abomination. The NURP dysfunction is a deeply held (whacky) concept held by the company. It's goes to the core of their (whacky) belief that they must fight with their labor. That they need some sort of tool that the rest of the world scratches their head on saying, "What??? I've never heard of such a system....is that even legal in a closed shop union??" And that's UPS. Whacky.
It doesn't mean we win....but we do continue to fight. We don't just reply, "how high?"
Being unified doesn't insure a win at every battle. But the unified battle must be fought again and again. Every day is another day of contract negotiations at UPS. Do the FedEx pilots even have a dim glimmer of understanding at the depth of meaning in that statement? What that really encompasses? It's a big reality here at UPS.......daily. "No Waivers, No Favors". A mantra repeated and practiced over and over.
You would be wrong to infer that UPS pilots hate coming to work. We don't. No different than any other airline in the proper professional work attitude while on the job. And would never entertain the notion of, "We will NEVER follow........." on ATC. I wonder what that FedEx captain's professional work attitude was that night.